December 28th

A woman who joined Piney Hills Harmony Chorus when she was 70 and has now been a member for 10 years was named the group’s Sweet Adeline of the Year.
Nadine Havard, of Monroe, was chosen recently by the Ruston-based group for two such honors.
Earlier this year before the chorus was placed in a new region during a worldwide Sweet Adeline reorganization, Havard was named Piney Hills Harmony’s Sweet Adeline of the Year for Region 25.
After the regional shift, Havard was named the chorus’ Sweet Adeline Extraordinaire for Region 10.
Havard’s nomination material spotlighted her for:

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I didn’t actually write about Christmas last week, because my plans were so up in the air. My earlier plans got changed because baby Sydney and her mom Susan got really sick. Since I was recently out of the hospital with bronchitis I wasn’t too sure I should get too cozy with them, but on Christmas Day everyone seemed better, so they called me and wanted to drive to Ruston, which we did. Susan thought they were probably no longer contagious — so pray for us that we all stay well in the coming weeks.

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CLINTON, Miss. — Seventy-nine Mississippi College seniors were inducted in early December on the Clinton campus as new members of the 2013-14 Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. One of the nation’s premier honor societies, the organization selects undergraduates based on their academic performance, leadership skills and community service.
The luncheon held in honor of the students took place on Dec. 9.

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TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. — Ruston High School graduate, Thomas Hudnall was selected for promotion to the rank of Colonel, United States Air Force Reserve.
Col. Hudnall is currently the Deputy Commander, 507th Operations Group, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. He is a command pilot with more than 4,500 flight hours and has served in multiple theaters of operation.

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Natchitoches — After graduating from the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts in 2006, Alexandria Bozeman needed some time off.
“I took some time off to figure out what I was going to do,” said Bozeman, of Ruston. “I knew it was going to be art-related but I didn’t know where I was going to go or what I was going to major in.
“I actually felt kind of pressured with everyone asking where I was going to college. My mother told me I didn’t have to stress, and that I didn’t have to go right then; I could wait.”

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December 27th

At approximately 3 p.m. Thursday, the Ruston Fire Department, Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office and Choudrant Fire Department responded to a call reporting a vehicle being struck by a train at Louisiana Highway 145 and the crossing of Kansas City Southern railroad tracks. Eric Brazzel, public education officer with RFD, said RFD responded with an ambulance, rescue and a command vehicle.

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Residents hoping to welcome 2014 in with a bang are in luck since various fireworks stands have set up in Lincoln Parish.
However, residents should make sure they are aware of the rules pertaining to fireworks use where they live.
Residents inside the municipal limits of both Ruston and Simsboro are out of luck when it comes to fireworks, since they are not allowed in either place.
Sgt. Clint Williams, public information officer for the Ruston Police Department, said typically the department simply gives a warning if residents break the rules.

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In Lincoln Parish, there are many organizations that stand up against child abuse. One group stands out from the rest — Bikers Against Child Abuse or BACA.
The bikers stand in court with children who have been abused, and to protect their identity, they were only able to give their road names.
J-Bird, secretary for BACA, said he is from the Delta Region Chapter.
“We are part of the Delta Region Chapter,” J-Bird said. “We have been a chapter for two years.”

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Downsville Charter School Fine Arts’ students participated in the second Annual Art Show. Chad Viator, Angel Antley and Rosie Blake’s artwork qualified for a special monetary art award. These funds will be used to further develop our arts program at DCS.
Julia Clark, fine arts teacher, and her students would like to thank the Union Parish Arts Council and its many sponsors for supporting our school.
“We have many talented students and are thankful for the opportunity to share their artwork,” Clark said.

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